Industrial truck



March 27, 1934. E. H. REMDE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Original Filed Oct. 23 19264 Sheets-Sheet 1 March2'7, 1934. l E, H. REMDE 1,952,730.

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dfarney Y Patented Mar. 27, 1934 UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE INDUsTmALTRUCK a corporation of Ohio Original application October 23, 1926,Serial No.

143,701. Divided and this application September 12, 1928, Serial No.

August 19, 1933 2 Claims.

Myinvention relates to" an industrial truck, more particularly a truckof the articulatable or sectional type.

This application is a division of my original application Ser. No.143,701, led October 23, 1926.

Heretofore great diiculty has been experienced in mechanically loadingcarriers, such as freight cars of the box type to full capacity,particularly where the load units were of large size, due to the factthat the trucks, which are usually of the elevating type could not beoperated to carry the loads into the car, place them in their'finalposition and then the empty truck driven away. Where the loads were ofrelatively large size and only a limited number were required to fillthe car, elevating or tiering trucks have been found to be impracticalbecause only one or two load units, if any, could be transported intoand positioned in the car, thereby leaying the remainder to be handledmanually.

By means of my improved truck I am enabled to handle all of the loadunits required to completely ll a car to either load the car therewithor to unload the units therefrom readily and in ai; economical mannerwith respect to both time consumed and labor required, as well as withless danger of damaging the loads.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved truck of thischaracter having a load lifting mechanism on its load carrying portion.

Another object of the invention is to .provide an improved truck of thischaracter having an elevating means on its load carrying portion capableof being manipulated and controlled to pick up or discharge loads incarriers and in limited areas, whereby the range of loading andunloading operations is greatly increased and facilitated.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart to which my invention relates from the following description' takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a planview of a truck embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side View of the truck.

Fig.4 3 is a fragmentary section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the motor and driving means,partlyin section.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section of parts shown in Fig. 3 on the line 5-5of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1.

305,569. Renewed Fig. 8 is a plan View of a truck embodying myinvention, but showing a modified form of construction.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the truck shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section on the line 11--11 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 13 is a sect-ion on the line 13-13 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of the motor and driving means,partly in section.

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of a truck embodying my invention, butshowing another modified form of construction.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan view of parts shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a section on the line 1'7-17 of Fig. 16.

Fig.. 18 is a diagrammatic View showing the partial loading of a freightcar in carrying out my process.

Fig. 19 is a section on the line 19-19 of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 18, but showing ing portion ofthetruck; if the load units to be handled are relatively large and are notto bc stacked one on the other, I prefer the form of truck constructionshown in Figs. l ,to 7, inclusive, but if the load units are to bestacked in piles, I may use the forrn'of truck construction shown inFigs. 15, 16 and 17, this latter formv of construction as illustratedherein being particularly adapted for handling sheets of material inbundles.

Where the picking up or positioning of load units takes place in plants,warerooms, wharves and the like and somewhat more space can be utilizedfor the operation of the truck, I may use the form of construction shownin Figs. 8 to 14, inclusive, altho the forms of construction shown inFigs. V1 to 7, inclusive, are equally adapted for use under theseconditions.

Referring to Figs. 1 to '7, inclusive, the truck 4 motor 13.

1 comprises articulated portions or members 2, 3, the former serving asthe traction and combined steering and control portion or member and thelatter serving as the load handling and carrying portion or member,capable of pickingup aload unit and elevating it, holding it in elcvatedposition while the truck is being driven to the unloading position orstation and then discharging it; this latter operation in theillustrated form of construction being effected bythe lowering of theelevating section or element, to wit, the platform 4.

The traction member 2 comprises a suitable frame 5, supported by wheels6, 7. The wheel 6 is supported between the forks 8 of a column 9,provided with a steering wheel 12, and suitably mounted to rotate in theframe 5 and a super-frame 10, the bearing for the upper portion of thecolumn in the latter frame being shown at 1l. The wheels 7 are driventhrough a suitable power transmission mechanism by a The motor 13 ismounted in and secured to a cradle 14 which is shaped to form a housing15 for the power transmission mechanism. The cradle 14 and housing 15are preferably connected to the frame 5 by a suspension mechanism, oneelement of kwhich is shown at 16. No claim is made herein to suchmechanism since the same forms the subject-matter of an application Ser.No. 430,620 filed by John H. Hertner of Cleveland, Ohio, and myselfjointly (see Letters Patent 1,628,145). 17 indicates the source of powersupply, that illustrated comprising batteries suitably connected to themotor 13 and also the motor for operating the loading handling mechanismto which reference will later be made. The batteries 17 are mounted onthe frame 5 and may be enclosed in a casing 18. 19 indicates theplatform on which the operative stands. 20 indicates as an entirety abrake mechanism, the braking elements of which engage a wheel 21 xed tothe extended end of the shaft for the motor 13, being normally engagedtherewith by means of a spring 22. The braking elements are connected bya suitable linkage 23 to a foot pedal 24, associated with the platform20 in convenient position for the operative to operate. When operateddownwardly, the pedal 24 releases the braking elements from the wheel 21and also, through a linkage 25, closes a switch in the motor circuit;this switch being mounted in a box or casing 26. 27 indicates acontroller of any well known construction, being connected through anarm 28 and link 29 to a handle 30 in convenient position for operationby the operative. 31 indicates a dash mounted on uprights 32.

33 indicates a connector extending outwardly from and preferably in aplane below the frame 5. The connector is connected to the lower ends ofa pair of drop plates 34, the upper portions of which are. inclinedoutwardly and connected to the sill 35 forming part of the frame 5. Theplates 34 may be braced by a plate 36 connected thereto by angles 37.The connector 33 may comprise two channel bars 38 having their flangesin opposed relation and connected by a plate 39. 40 indicates a bridgemember disposed between and connectedin a well known manner at itsopposite ends to the channels 38. Midway between its ends, the bridgemember 40 is formed with a tapered opening 41 in which is removablymounted the tapered wall of a pin 42 carrying at its upper end a ball43. The ball 43 fits into a socket 44, suitably carried by the loadhandling ythe ends of the 'and carrying member 3, whereby the ball andsocket constitute a universal joint or connection between the truckmembers 2, 3, serving to support the inner end of the member 3 on theconnector and to permit said members to articulate either due to changein inclination of the flooring or surfaces' over which the truck isdriven or to the steering of the truck and also control of either orboth truck members to effect loading and unloading operations.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the flanges of the channels 38, at their freeends, are cut away to accommodate the ball 43 and socket 44 and permittheir free movement.

The load handling and carrying member 3 comprise a frame 45 mounted on aplurality of wheels 46. In the illustrated form of construction Iprovide two wheels, suitably mounted on an axle 47 and preferablydisposed intermediate frame 45 and secured thereto by angles 48. Theframe 45 consists of angle bars 49 connected together at their frontends by an angle 50 and at their rear ends by a channel 5l, the flangesof the angles 49 being turned inwardly to form a support for theelevating mechanism 52. The overhanging flange 53 of the angle 50supports on its under side a suitable casing 54 in which is mounted thesocket 44.

The elevating mechanism 52 may be of any desired construction to raiseand lower the platform 4, but by preference such mechanism issubstantially similar to that disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,527,136,dated February 17, 1925, which issued upon the application of John H.Hertner.

The elevating mechanism 52 comprises generally a frame 55 having endmembers 56, 57, and side members 58.

At its opposite ends, the walls of the frame 55 are thickened and formedwith openings in which are mounted stub shafts 59, The upper shafts 59carry the rollers 60, while the lower shafts carry rollers 61 whichengage suitable guides 62 on the inturned anges of the angles 49 andpermit the frame 55 to move endwise horizontally in opposite directionsto effect the raising and lowering of the platform 4. The lowermost ornormal position of the platform 4 is shown in Figs. 2 and 7. When theplatform 4 is in this position, the intermediate frame 55 is arrangedadjacent to that end of the frame 45 remote from the batteries (see Fig.2) and when moved forward, it operates through the engagement of therollers 60 with inclines 63 suitably secured to the lower side of theplatform 4,'to elevate it to the position shown in Fig. 3. The platform4 is held .against longitudinal movement by a pair of links any wellknown manner to the frame members 49 and platform 4, as shown at 65, 66.As will be understood, the links 64 permit the platform 4 to move in asubstantially vertical direction, but hold it against longitudinalmovement in order that the rollers 60 may co-act with the inclines 63 toelevate the platform. 66 indicates means for maintaining the frame 55 insliding engagement with its guides 62 thereby preventing tilting of theframe 55 or movement of its inner `end upwardly due to the positioningof a load at or adjacent its outer end. The means 66' are preferablycarried by the angle 50. In the illustrated form of construction, themeans 66' comprise a plate 67 extending over the frame 55 and having adownwardly bent section which is secured to the angle 50.

69 indicates the power mechanism for moving the frame forwardly andrearwardly on the guides 62 to effect the raising and lowering of theplatform 4. Of this mechanism, indicates a hollow casing forming asuitable chamber 71for speed reducing gears 71a and a chamber 72 for ascrew or worm 73 and a nut 74.

75 indicates a cradle or other suitable device for connecting anelectric motor 76 to the casing '70, preferably that portion thereofforming the chamber 72. The motor 76 is' supported so that it may bereadily connected to a shaft 77 (see Fig. 4) of the gearing within thecasing 70. The motor '76 is arranged to rotate the screw or worm 73 ineither direction to raise or lowe'r the platform 4. "Ihe motor 76 andcasing 70 are rigidly connected to the frame members 49 or the cross.member 78. The motor 76, speed reducing gears and other elements,forming part of thepower mechanism are preferably constructed similarlyto corresponding parts set forth in Letters Patent No. 1,505,889 datedAugust 19, 1924, and therefore further description will not be necessaryherein.

The nut 74 preferably comprises a hollow thrust member, which slidablyts at its inner end into an opening, leading into the chamber 72. Theouter end of the nut 74 is bifurcated at 79 to receive between them theweb portion 80 or a lug carried by the intermediate frame 55. Thebifurcations 79 and web portion 80 are formed with openings, adapted toregister with each other to receive a pin 81, whereby the nut and frame58 are connected together.

The motor 76 is supplied with current from the batteries 17 by a cable76a, having a plug connection with asocket 7Gb carried on the connector33 (see Figs. 2 and 3). The cable 76a carries the desired number ofwires to effect operation of the motor 76.` The operation of the motor76 is controlled by a controller 76' located in convenient position tothe operative.

The shaft 77 extends through the casing 70 and carries on its outer orfree end a disk 82, which constitutes one element of a brake 83. Theother element of the brake consists of a disk 84 held against rotationby, but slidable on, a series of bolts 85 which secure the cover 86 to aplate 87 having a boss tting into the opening in the casing 71 for themotor shaft and secured therein by the shoulder of a sleeve secured onthe outer end of the shaft 77 by a nut 88, the latter also securing thebrake element 82 to the shaft. The non-rotatable disk 84 is normallypressed outwardly by a plurality of springs (one being shown at 89 inFig. 4) into engagement with the disk 82 to brake it or hold it againstrotation. The disk 84 is formed of soft iron and is operated inwardly,against the tension of the springs 89, by a winding 90, when the latteris energized. The

i winding 90 is connected in series with the motor 76, so that when thelatter is started the coil is energized and the brake released.

The limit switch mechanism 91 comprises a casing 92 suitably secured tothe cross member 78 and enclosing a pair of switches either of which isopened to break the motor circuit by a device preferably operated by therock shaft 93. 94 indicates an arm fixed to the rock shaft 93. The

' outer end of the arm is bifurcated and formed` with aligned openingsto receive a rotatable plug which is slotted to slidably receive a bar95. The inner end of the bar 95 is pivotally connected to the frame 55;its outer portion is provided with adjustable tappets 96 disposed onopposite sides of the arm 94, whereby movement of the frame 55 in eitherdirection will move one of the tappets into engagement with the arm 94and cause it to swing and thus rock the shaft 93 which in turnl willopen one of the switches and break the motor circuitwhen the platform 4reaches its limit of movement in either direction. The platform 4 ispreferably extended outwardly beyond the frame 45 and has lateralportions 97 forming guards for the Wheels 46. The side edges'of theplatform may be reinforced by the angles 98.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that my truck consists ofarticulated portions or members and that by steering the wheel 6 anddriving the Wheels 7, the inner end of the frame 5 may be swung ineither direction as driving forwardly or backwardly takes place, andthese movements of the frame 5 serve to turn and drive the frame 45 inrectilinear and curvilinear directions at the will of the operative,with the result that the load carrying member 3 can be positivelycontrolled to position it below a load or to discharge the load in anydesired position, in or among obstructions where an ordinary elevatingtruck would be incapable of movement endwise, and also to effect loadingand unloading of a maximum number of loads in a predetermined space, ashereinafter set forth. This form of construction also permits the truckto be driven through lanes having relatively short angular turns.

In Figs. 18 and 20 I have shown certain steps of my process incompletely loading a freight box car, which is shown diagrammatically inplan at A, the flooringbeing shown at a, the side and end walls at a',and door open'ngs at a2.

In these views four units (B, B2, B3, B4) have been loaded at one end ofthe car and two units (B, B2) have been loaded at the other end of the lcar and unit B3 is being positioned therein, the

dotted lines showing the positions which the truck occupies in beingdriven into the car, discharging this unit and in being driven out.

As will be understood from Figs. 19 and 2l, the units are mounted onskids C, but when the load engaging member is movable into closerelation to-the oor, the units may be mounted on suitable blocks orstrips to permit the projecting of the load engaging member below theload unit.

In Figs. 8 to 14 inclusive, I have shown a slightly different form oftruck construction wher-ein the traction member 2' is mounted on fourwheels 6', 6', '7', 7', lthe former being dr'ven by the motor 13 and allfour wheels being steerable, and the frame 5' being, by preference, soconstructed and arranged that the wheels may be relatively small.

In the form of construction shown in Figs. 15, 16, and 17, I have showna tiering type of truck permitting the load units to be stacked one onanother or removed from their stacked positions. In these views, 2a.indicates as an entirety the traction portion of the truck (which maybe similar in construction to the traction portion shown in Figs. 1 and2) and 3a indicates as an entirety the load handling portion or membercomprising a pair of frame sills .of channels 97 connected by a plate 98and rigidly supporting a pair of upright channels 99. The plate 98 isextended laterally at either side to cover and protect the wheels 46h.100 indicates a pair of plates suitably connected to the channels 99 andforming brackets for a rod or shaft 101 on which are swingably mounted apair of bars 102. The upper ends of the bars are pivotally connected tobrackets 103, which in'turn are rigidly connected to a pair of I-beams104 constituting a guide frame for an elevating member 105, the I-beamsbeing connected in rigid relation by suitable devices, one of which is aplate 106. In the present illustrated form of construction, the guideframe is swingablyv supported by the bars 102, so that when the latterare operated in the manner to be later described, the guide frame iselevated'and swung rearwardly, the effect of which movement :'s to tiltthe elevating member, whereby the load thereon can be transported withless danger of its being jarred 01T. In this form of construction aninterlocking slidable, pivotal connection 107 is provided between thelower portion of the guide ports a pair of rolls 111 on frame and theframe 97. The connection 107 preferably comprises a pair of plates 108secured to the sills 97 and formed with aligned openings 109 to receivea shaft 110. The shaft loosely supwhich the I-beams roll as they areoperated from the full line position to the dotted l'ne position shownin Fig. 15. The I-beams 104 support a pair of rearwn rdly extending arms112 having formed in them aligned elongated slots 113 through which theshaft 110 extends. The rolls 111 permit the I-beams 104 to slide andalso swing relative to the frame 97 and the engagement of the shaft 110with the walls of the slots 113 connect the beams to the plates 108.

The elevating member 105 comprises a pair of plates 114 preferablydisposed on the outer sides of the beams 104 and connected by transversemembers 115, 116. The plates 114 carry pairs of guide rollers 117, 118,arranged to engage the I-beams and thus slidably support the elevatingmember 105 thereon.

At their outer ends the plates 114 support a transverse rod or shaft onwhich is pivotally mounted the load engaging and supporting element 105apreferably comprising a plurality of L-shaped arms, whereby theirhorizontal legs may be disposed relatively close to the floor.

The mechanism, indicated as an entirety at 119, for raising and loweringthe elevating member and for swinging or tilting the guide frame to tiltthe load is substantially similar to corresponding elements shown anddescribed in and forming' the subject-matter of my co-pendingapplication Ser. No. 48,421, Patent No. 1,777,476, dated Oct. 7, 1930,except that such mechanism has associated with it a load gripping orclamping means indicated as an entirety at 120, which means forms thesubject-matter of another co-pending application Ser. No. 138,763,Patent No. 1,843,736, dated Feb. 2, 1932, for which reasons no claim ismade herein to such mechanism or such means.

Referring to the mechanism 119 for raising and lowering the load andtilting the guide frame, 121 indicates a motor connected to andoperating a suitable differential mechanism housed in the casing 122.121a indicates a controller connected in the circuit between the motor121 and the batteries 17b. The sections driven by the differentialmechanisms are connected to two drums 122 within casings 123. The drums122 are normally locked by magnetically controlled brakes (not shown),the coils of which are connected in series with the motor circuit insuch manner that either may be energized and the adjacent brakereleased, dependent upon the operation of a selector (not shown) whenthe controller -is operated to drive the motor 121 in either direction.Accordingly, by the release of one drum 122 or the other, the load maybe moved vertically or the guide frame swung in either direction. Thepower means and braking or locking devices and the release meanstherefor forms the subjectmatter of a co-pending application Ser. No.679,605, Patent No. 1,777,475, dated Oct. 7, 1930, for which reason noclaim is made thereto in this application. 125 indicates a cable reevedover or around a guide sheave 126 mounted on the adjacent bar 102 andover and around sheaves 126 suitably supported on a shaft 126a on theupper end of the guide frame and a sheave 127 supported on the elevatingmember 105 in the manner to be later set forth, the inner end of thecable being arranged to wind on and off one of the drums 122 and itsopposite end being connectedto a slack take-up means indicated at 128.The slack take-up means forms the subject-mattei' of a co-pendingapplication led by Amiel G. Hutzley, see Letters Patent No. 1,690,681.129 indicates a cable one end of which is arranged to wind on and offthe other drum 122 and to extend to and around a sheave 130 supported ona shaft 130a carried by the bars 99 and then to and around a sheave 131on the shaft 126a, its opposite end being anchored in any desiredmanner, preferably on the shaft 130a. By rotating the drum 122 to whichthe cable 129 is connected to wind it thereon the guide frame will swingto the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 15; and by rotating thedrum to pay out the cable, the guide frame will swing to its vertical ornormal position. The gripping or clamping means 120 comprise a rocker132 trunnioned on a traverse rod 133 which is supported at its ends inopenings formed in the plates 11,4. The rocker 132 carries at one end aload clamping device 134 and at its opposite end a shaft 135 on whichthe sheave 127 is loosely mounted. 136 indicates a plurality of springsinterposed between a' rod 137 carried by the rocker frame 132 and theconnecting device 116 and normally operating to swing the outer end ofthe rocker frame 132 upwardly and its inner end downwardly, as shown infull lines in Fig. 15. However, when the power means is operated t0 liftthe load, the pull on the cable 125 will rst be effective through thesheave 127 to rock the frame 132 and thus move the device 134 intoengagement with the load, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 15, and asthe pull by the cable on the sheave 127 continues it will raise theelevating member 105 and maintain the device 134 in clamping engagementwith the load.

I prefer to provide a limit switch mechanism 1052) for stopping themotor 121 when the elevating member reaches the end of its movementvertically in either direction and a limit switch mechanism 102a forstopping the motor 121 when the guide frame reaches the movement ineither direction.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention relates, many changesin construction and widely differing embodiments and applicationsthereof will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of theinvention. My disclosures and the description herein are purelyillustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. Y

What I claim is:

1. In an industrial truck, a truck frame having a driving and steeringsection and a load carrying section comprising a relatively lowhorizontal frame and a connector between said sections, said connectorbeing carried by one of said sections and connected to the inner end ofthe other section by a universal joint to permit articulation of saidsections one relative to the other, a pair of traction wheels forsupporting one end of said driving and steering section, a steerable,wheel for supporting the other end of said driving and steering section,a pair of wheels eo-operating with said connector to support said loadcarrying section, said frame sections being operable as a unitarystructure in either direction and.

said driving and steering sectlonbeing operable to maneuver said loadcarrying section at angles to said driving and steering section, a loadhandling mechanism on said load carrying section, said mechanismincluding a load lifting member adapted to be projected below a loadwhen the truck is driven forwardly, means for operating `said member,and devices on said driving and saidlastx mentioned section by auniversal joint to permit' articulation of said sections one relative tothe other, a pair of traction wheels for supporting the inner end ofsaid driving and steering section, a` steerable wheel for supporting theouterV end QI said driving and steering section, a pair of wheelsco-operatng with said connector to support'said load carrying section,said `frame sections being operable as a unitary structure in eitherdirection and said driving and steering section being operable tomanuever said load carrying section at angles to said driving andsteeringsection, a load handling mechanism on said load carryingsection, said mechanism including a load lifting member adapted to beprojected below a load when the truck is driven forwardly, means foroperating.` said member, and devices on said driving and steeringsection for controlling the operation of said mechanism and steeringsaid4 steerable wheel.

`EDWARD H. Ranma.

